Nasser Hussain, the former England captain opened up on Zak Crawley’s struggles, stating that skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum face a massive challenge to revive his career. Nasser Hussain believes the young opener’s pattern of dismissals is highly concerning.
Zak Crawley was dismissed for 9 off 17 deliveries on Day 2 of the fifth Test against India at Edgbaston, which was his ninth single-figure score in his last 11 innings. The right-handed batter fiddled a delivery outside the off-stump without foot movement off Jasprit Bumrah, resulting in an easy catch to slip.
Nasser Hussain: Zak Crawley’s Repetitive Nature Of Dismissals Is Concerning
Nasser Hussain said although the youngster has the backing of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, he questioned the limit of the attacking approach. The 54-year-old conceded that the nature of the dismissals is upsetting as bowlers will eventually find a way to get his wicket.
He said: “It is a real test for this new era, and McCullum and Stokes, because they’ve given Crawley their backing and this is how they want to play their cricket.”
He added: “It is the repetitive nature of dismissals that must surely, eventually, become a concern. Driving without due care and attention against the moving ball is going to get you in trouble. You might get the odd pretty, crisp four through the offside but eventually a bowler of Bumrah or [Tim] Southee’s ability will back themselves to find the edge.”
The 24-year-old also struggled for runs in the previous series against New Zealand while most other England batters came good. He managed only 87 runs in three Tests at 14.50 with a high score of 43.
After having a dream home series against New Zealand, England is in trouble against India in the one-off Test. They are poised at 84/5 in response to India’s 416 in the first innings. The opening pair for England has been a cause of concern and Zak Crawley’s form has been one of the reasons for it. He was once again dismissed on a single-digit score in the match. Also, he had scores of 43, 9, 4, 0, 6, and 25 in the New Zealand series.
Nasser Hussain: At The End Of The Day It’s Zak Crawley’s Career And He’s In Charge Of It
Nasser Hussain feels the Kent batter’s development as a player also depends upon how much effort he puts in for that as Zak Crawley is the one in charge of his career. Zak Crawley has scored 1183 Test runs in 25 Tests at 26.29 and the team has tried various opening pairs because of the lack of runs at the top. Zak Crawley was dismissed on delivery by Jasprit Bumrah outside off as he edged it to the slips.
He said: “What really matters is what he thinks and whether he thinks he should change. If you’re sitting there as Zak Crawley, are you comfortable being this player, this inconsistent talent or do you want to improve, get better and become more consistent and not play the shot of the day but the innings of the day like Alastair Cook or Michael Atherton used to play? At the end of the day, it is your career and you’re in charge of it.”
The hosts slid to 84-5 by the end of day two, trailing India by 332 runs. England needs a monumental contribution from their captain Ben Stokes, mainly after Joe Root’s departure.
Brief scores: At Stump’s: Day 2:
India 1st innings: 416 all out in 84.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 146, Ravindra Jadeja 104; James Anderson 5/60)
England 1st innings: 84/5 in 27 overs (Joe Root 31; Jasprit Bumrah 3/35).